Want to listen to music from your laptop through a pair of wireless earbuds? It can be great for drowning out noise at work. Or maybe you've just bought a smart wireless keyboard for your home office that you can’t wait to connect to your desktop PC?
Whatever device you want to hook up to your Windows or Mac computer, you’ll first have to find out whether it’s got Bluetooth built in. That’s why in this guide, we'll not only show you how to check if your PC has Bluetooth, but also provide tips on getting your devices connected, adding Bluetooth to your PC if it doesn’t have it, and troubleshooting common issues.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a type of wireless tech that's used in loads of our everyday gadgets. In fact, a whopping 4.9 billion Bluetooth devices were shipped worldwide in 2022 — according to Statista. And by 2027, yearly shipments are forecast to reach 7.6 billion units. Whoa.
We love Bluetooth as it lets us pair up our devices and transmit data between them over short distances. Making it easy to stream music from our mobile phones to some wireless headphones for that long commute, or a portable speaker when it's time to party.
But loads of computer accessories like wireless keyboards, wireless mice and wireless printers use Bluetooth too. So, if your computer's got it built in, you can hook them up to create a neat and cable-less desk that’s free of clutter. Nice.
How does Bluetooth work?
Bluetooth uses short-length radio waves and a special frequency band (2.4-2.485 GHz, to be precise) to connect your wireless devices together. It then splits the frequency into different channels to prevent any annoying interference, so it’s super convenient and reliable.
Make sure to check out our how does Bluetooth work? article if you want to get proper nerdy!
How to check for Bluetooth on your computer
Unfortunately, not all computers will come with Bluetooth installed. Plenty of newer laptops and desktop PCs do, but if you're still rocking an older machine — it probably won't.
If you're not sure, here's how to check for Bluetooth on your PC — whether it’s a Windows computer or Apple Mac.
Windows computers
To quickly check if your Windows 10 or 11 machine has Bluetooth, just follow these steps:
Click on the system tray in your taskbar (the little upward arrow on the bottom right of your screen, next to the battery symbol).
You’ll then see some icons for your most used apps appear in a small window.
If your computer has Bluetooth, an icon for it should appear here by default.
You can do a more thorough check by using Device Manager. Here’s how to find it:
Type "Device Manager" into the Windows search bar.
Click on it to open the app.
Scroll through the list of devices. If Bluetooth is there, it means your computer has it installed. But make sure to check under 'Network adapters' if you can't see it in the main list.
Tech tip: Bluetooth not built into your computer? Don't fret. If you want to know how to get Bluetooth on your PC, then you can just buy a USB Bluetooth adapter to hook up your wireless mouse or keyboard instead.
Apple Mac computers
If you're using a Mac — good news. All modern Apple Mac computers (including MacBook laptops) come with Bluetooth built in. It's how Apple's Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard wirelessly connect to your Mac.
To double check, just look at the top right of your screen and you should see a Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. Or open your Mac's System Settings app and you’ll see Bluetooth near the top of the list on the left.
How to set up Bluetooth devices on your computer
Does your Windows PC or Mac have Bluetooth? If so, here's how to get those neat computer accessories or your wireless Bluetooth speaker paired up with them. But before you start, just make sure the device(s) you're trying to connect have Bluetooth switched on and are in pairing mode.
Pairing Bluetooth devices with Windows computers
This process can vary depending on whether you're running Windows 10 or 11. Luckily, the steps for both are super easy to follow:
Windows 10:
Open the Start menu and click on 'Settings' (gear icon).
Select 'Devices' from the list of options.
Click on 'Bluetooth & other devices' in the window on the left.
Choose 'Add Bluetooth or other device' (the plus icon).
Select 'Bluetooth' at the top.
After that, your computer will scan to try and find all discoverable Bluetooth-enabled devices within range. Once you see the one you want to connect to appear, just click on it and they'll be paired.
Windows 11:
Open 'Settings' from the Start menu.
Click on 'Bluetooth & devices’.
Select 'Add device' (the big plus button).
Setting up Bluetooth devices with a Mac
Like on Windows computers, it's really easy getting a Bluetooth device hooked up with your Mac:
Click on the Apple menu on the top left of your screen.
Select 'System Settings' and then click on Bluetooth in the sidebar on the left.
Click 'Connect' on the device you want to pair with your Mac.
If you want to find an even faster way of pairing up Bluetooth-enabled gadgets with your Mac, just click on the Bluetooth icon in your menu bar on the top right of your screen. It'll then display a list of paired devices or devices that have been connected before.
Tech tip: AirDrop is a great Apple feature that lets you quickly share files wirelessly between your Apple devices — including Mac, iPhone and iPad. It uses Bluetooth to create a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network, allowing you to share photos, videos, documents, and other data directly. It's a great alternative to email or file sharing services.
Troubleshooting common Bluetooth issues
Having trouble getting your new wireless mouse to connect with your computer? It can be frustrating, but there's no need to think about sending it back. Just try some of these tips and tricks and you're bound to get them paired:
Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your computer.
Make sure that the device you're trying to connect is turned on and in pairing mode.
Check that you’re within range of your computer (about 30 feet or less).
Turn off Bluetooth on your device and then turn it back on again.
Restart your device and try pairing it again. You could restart your computer too.
Try forgetting the device on your computer and then re-pair it again.
Disable any power-saving settings that may be affecting Bluetooth connectivity (and make sure airplane mode is turned off too).
Check for any updates for your device's software.
Try connecting your device to a different Bluetooth source to see if the issue persists.
FAQs
Why does my PC not have Bluetooth?
It’s common to get Bluetooth in a PC, with most modern computers having it installed as standard. But if you're using an affordable machine or one that's quite old, then it might not have Bluetooth built in.
How do I get Bluetooth on my old computer?
If you've got an old computer and want to know how to add Bluetooth to your PC, then you'd be best off buying a Bluetooth USB adapter. They're a pretty cheap way of enabling Bluetooth on your machine and can just be plugged into a free USB port. They're so tiny that you'll hardly notice them too!
Which Bluetooth adapter is the best for PC?
There are lots of great Bluetooth adapters that more or less do the same job. The ASUS USB-BT400 is a solid pick as it's really affordable and has Advanced Bluetooth 4.0, which means it can wirelessly connect to loads of devices like Bluetooth printers, Bluetooth headsets, gaming controllers, and much more.
Or check out the the TP-LINK UB500 instead. This USB adapter can be a top Bluetooth add-on for your PC as it uses Bluetooth 5.0, which means its faster, uses less energy, and has more range than anything with Bluetooth 4.0.
Does Bluetooth drain battery?
Bluetooth tech is designed to be energy efficient. But if you have a weak connection that causes Bluetooth to repeatedly disconnect and reconnect — it will drain the battery on your device. Leaving Bluetooth on all the time is okay, but turning it off when you're not using it can help to conserve battery life.
Any more questions?
We hope our guide has helped you get more out of your computer with the power of Bluetooth. We've also got some sound advice on how to connect multiple Bluetooth speakers around your home, as well as tips on how to change the Bluetooth name on your iPhone.
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